Packed with lovingly-restored classics and brand new high-octane stories, the Treasury of British Comics Annual 2024 is a festive treat for fans of the best of British comics.
Collected together in a gorgeous hardcover, the Treasury of British Comics Annual not only features stunning early work by industry greats such as Brian Bolland (Batman: The Killing Joke), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen) and Steve Dillon (Preacher) but also gems like ‘Moon Madness’ by Alf Wallace and artist Brian Lewis, Leo Baxendale’s Grimly Feendish and Ken Reid on Frankie Stein, as well as new comics such as the comics head-to-head The Spider vs The Leopard from Lime Street by Simon Furman (Transformers), David Roach (Anderson, Psi Division) and Mike Collins (Doctor Who), fantasy questing in Black Beth by Alec Worley (Durham Red) and DaNi (Coffin Bound) and the gory action of Gustav of the Bearmacht by Kek-W (The Order) and Staz Johnson (Dark Legacies).
Available only from comic book stores and the Treasury of British Comics webshop, the Treasury of British Comics Annual 2024 comes in a retail edition with cover by Henry Flint (Judge Dredd) and webshop exclusive edition featuring a cover by David Roach.
Standard edition with Henry Flint coverWebshop exclusive ed. with David Roach cover
The team behind the Treasury of British Comics imprint have dived deep into the archives of IPC, one of the world’s biggest publishers of comic books, to select slick and exciting stories from such legendary British comic book titles as Lion, Starlord, Misty, Action, Wham!, Scream!, Smash!, Battle and Valiant!
Featuring the best of British talent including Brian Bolland (Batman: The Killing Joke), Joe Colquhoun (Charley’s War), Steve Dillon (Preacher), Pat Mills (Nemesis the Warlock), Leo Baxendale (Bash Street Kids) and many more, the Treasury of British Comics Annual will bring the magic back to this great British tradition with a veritable newsagents’ shelf full of classic stories from annuals, specials and titles of the past, lovingly restored and reprinted comics will sit alongside three brand new strips.
Famed Transformers writer Simon Furman pits two of Britain’s greatest characters – The Leopard from Lime Street and The Spider – against each other. Artists David Roach and Mike Collins (Doctor Who) bring to life the titanic head-to-head between the feline powers of young Billy Farmer against the inventive but ruthless master criminal and anti-hero!
There is the thunderous return of the wandering warrior, Black Beth, as writer Alec Worley (Durham Red) once again teams up with breakout artist DaNi (Coffin Bound) to deliver another tale of Beth’s quest to punish evildoers, with stunning pages evoking the work of master artist Sergio Toppi but with a dynamic, gothic edge and startling colour.
And, on the Eastern Front in the dying days of World War Two, Sergeant Holstein and his battle-hardened unit of men (and one mighty beast) face off against cutthroat Cossacks in Gustav of the Bearmacht by Kek-W (The Order) and Staz Johnson (Dark Legacies).
With something for all ages, the Treasury of British Comics Annual 2024 is the perfect Christmas gift for fans of classic British comics and a perfect introduction to a world of action and adventure for the next generation.
Superheroes from across the ages – assemble! A brand new comics mini-series unleashes the power of some of comics’ greatest characters of all time!
Written by renowned artist/writer Paul Grist (Kane, Jack Staff) with art from Tom Foster (Judge Dredd), Anna Morozova (Lowborn High) and cover artist Andy Clarke (Batman and Robin), this fast-paced action-adventure mini-series features the very best and the most outlandish heroes, superheroes, and anti-heroes that comics can offer!
From two very different 1960s secret agents – Jane Bond and The Steel Claw – to mechanical menaces Robot Archie and the murderous AI Max from The Thirteenth Floor, and villainous anti-hero The Spider and supernatural avenger Cursitor Doom, this is a series a whole century in the making.
This brand new mini-series unleashes the power of some of the last century’s greatest comic book characters. Having been inspired by them to create his acclaimed self-published series Jack Staff, Grist now realises his vision with the original versions of these legendary characters.
In Victorian London, when the legendary elastic-limbed escapologist Janus Stark traps a demon in a stone idol, hoping to seal away the malevolent monster for all time – yet he has just created a prize too alluring for criminal masterminds to resist!
Sixty years later, terrifying high-tech thief The Spider organises a heist for his Crime Syndicate to the steal the statuette. But heroes from across the ages unite to confound the king of crime, and prevent him from unleashing the demon hidden inside. Can they succeed and keep the evil of the stone idol contained?
However, The Steel Claw and Jane Bond are assigned to halt the theft, but they encounter a mysterious stranger who throws both sides’ plans into disarray.
Paul Grist said: “The Spider is, without doubt, my favourite British comic character. There are others that are more famous, more heroic, or just longer running, but it’s the Spider that’s been living rent free in my head since I first came across him in the pages of a ‘Summer Special’ whilst on a caravan holiday with my family many summers ago.
“So to be asked to write a bunch of stories of his battles with his more ‘heroic’ contemparies wasn’t something I was going to turn down! At least I could finally get him to earn his keep!
“The three-issue that make up this series of Smash! give the Spider a chance to cavort across 60 years of British comics history, crossing paths with the Steel Claw, Robot Archie and Adam Eterno, as well as a few surprise ‘guest stars’ along the way. I even get to write a Janus Stark story to kick things off!
“But don’t worry, it doesn’t require the reader to have read years of British comics in order to appreciate it. But I hope that it will give the you, the reader, a flavour of the range, variety and, quite frankly, the sheer bonkersness of British comics over the years!”
Every week, 2000 AD brings you the galaxy’s greatest artwork and 2000 AD Covers Uncovered takes you behind-the-scenes with the headline artists responsible for our top cover art – join bloggers Richard Bruton and Pete Wells as they uncover the greatest covers from 2000 AD and beyond!
This week, we’re going away from the Prog for a moment to celebrate the coming together of superheroes from across the ages of Brit comics with the release of the first issue of Smash!
Across three issues writer Paul Grist and artists Tom Foster, Anna Morozova, Jimmy Broxton, and VV Glass are going to unleash the power of Brit comics’ greatest, including Janus Stark, The Spider, Cursitor Doom, Robot Archie, Jane Bond, and The Steel Claw. There’s even a visit to the Thirteenth Floor with the psychotic AI Max!
It’s a no-letting-up, fast-paced, action-adventure mini-series that features the very best and the most outlandish heroes, superheroes, and anti-heroes that comics can offer! It all begins in Victorian London with Janus Stark creating a demonic prize way too tempting, some sixty years later, for The Spider to avoid planning a heist! And that’s just the start of it all, with heroes from across the ages coming together to attempt to thwart the King of Crooks!
Smash! #1 arrives in comic book stores and on the 2000 AD webshop and app on 25 October. Each issue has a stunning cover by Andy Clarke, and he’s here right now to tell you all about putting the cover to SMASH! Issue 1 together…
ANDY CLARKE: I’ll admit, as with the Battle Action cover, I knew the characters in Smash! by name only. I’d seen the odd piece of artwork before – The Spider in particular, but I hadn’t seen any of the comics. Despite my ignorance, I was well up for taking a crack at these covers – it felt like something fresh and new (to me) to have a go at. So when editor Oliver Pickles asked if I’d like to do them, I didn’t have to think about it, it felt exciting to give it a go.
Oliver was able to provide a whole bundle of reference material, past and fairly present, so I could familiarise myself with the characters. There was some great classic-looking artwork in there, a couple of terrific Chris Weston pieces and some superb pages for issue 1. It makes things a lot more enjoyable when you have art from Anna Morozova and Tom Foster to look at and spur you on. Top stuff.
And here’s that reference material that Oliver sent over to Andy…
The Spider by Chris Weston & The Steel Claw by Jesus Blasco
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Classic Janus Stark by Ian Kennedy and the Smash! issue 1 version by Tom Foster
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More reference – Anna Morozova’s take on The Spider and Jane Bond (no relation) from Smash! issue 1
ANDY CLARKE: Oliver had the initial idea of looking at Sean Murphy’s Batman covers for composition ideas to start with – it made a lot of sense as the kinda film-poster feel of those covers would suit these multi-character Smash! covers pretty well.
More reference to set the gears inside Andy’s head working – Sean Murphy’s recent Batman covers, all evoking that classic film poster look to things
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So, with that in mind (but in the back somewhere, so it wasn’t too prevalent), I roughed up some sketches for all three, just really to see if anything popped out that I could carry across them all so they had a connection of some kind.
Pretty soon, the Idol looked like it would be the thing that could link the covers together – the Idol also did a lot of the heavy-lifting for each layout/composition in the end, it helped tie everything together. And, as the series is set in different decades, I wanted to add a 1960s (for issue 1) and a 1980s (for issue 2) background pattern or design as a nod to that.
Once it was agreed the Idol would be the one element repeated on all three covers, I thought that once I’d inked the outline, done all the grey-tone, the flats, the colour and rim-lights on it for issue 1, I could drop it into the other two covers without having to redo it from scratch each time. Then all I had to do was alter the colours and highlights on the Idol for #2 and 3 so it matched the colour-scheme around it. Bit of a cheat really, but it saved some time.
Andy Clarke’s initial sketch roughs for the cover of Smash! issue 1
And here’s Paul Grist’s sketch of the Idol, sent to every artist to maintain the look
The sketch for #1 came together fairly quickly, but 2 and 3 took a little longer to finalise. So, while I thought about those, I got on with working up the cover for issue 1 – I’d come back to 2 and 3 after #1 was done. I was hoping I’d have a better idea how to proceed on the other two once the first one was complete.
The process with these covers was the same as with my 2000 AD ones. The only extra this time was I thought I’d make things a little easier for myself by looking at Chris Weston’s Spider piece and make some quick models of the equipment (the gun, the back-pack etc.) in SketchUp. As The Spider was central to each of the three covers, I thought it might benefit and I wasn’t all that confident about drawing that stuff from scratch each time and from different angles.
And that’s just what Andy did. So, working through his process pieces that he sent over, first we have those SketchUp models of The Spider’s equipment…
Andy’s model renderings of The Spider’s gun, back-pack and… actually, what they hell are those things?
And after that we have the process of Andy working through the stages – pencils, inks, adding the greys, adding flat colour, and then making it all pop for the final version…
Pencil stage first – and Andy’s pencils really are incredibly detailed and tight
Now to the inks – as usual, Andy inks the outlines and leaves the detailing for the next stage, adding in the greys
Next up, adding in the greys – and Andy’s an artsit who leaves it to this stage to really go to town on the details
Nearly there – adding in the flat colours
And hey presto – with just a touch of a button, it’s all done. Actually no, more like after hours and hours and hours of back-breaking colouring work, it’s all done!
Well, what can we say except SMASHing! stuff from Andy right there! The covers to all three issues look amazing and the insides promise a cross-time caper with all the excitement of the best Brit comics and their unique take on superheroes! This is one series you shouldn’t miss.
You can find SMASH! issue 1 in comics shops and from the 2000 AD webshop and app on 25 October, and there’s also the chance to pick up all three SMASH! Issues in a bundle from the webshop right here.
Superheroes from across the ages – assemble! A brand new comics mini-series is unleashing the power of some of comics’ greatest characters of all time!
Written by renowned artist/writer Paul Grist (Kane, Jack Staff), this fast-paced action-adventure mini-series features the very best and the most outlandish heroes, superheroes, and anti-heroes that comics can offer!
From two very different 1960s secret agents – Jane Bond and The Steel Claw – to mechanical menaces Robot Archie and the murderous AI Max from The Thirteenth Floor, and villainous anti-hero The Spider and supernatural avenger Cursitor Doom, this is a series a whole century in the making.
With each issue featuring brand new art from Tom Foster (Judge Dredd), Anna Morozova (Lowborn High), Jimmy Broxton (Hope), V.V. Glass (Mega-City Max) and stunning covers by Andy Clarke (Batman and Robin), Smash! #1 arrives in comic book stores and on the 2000 AD webshop and app on 25 October, retailing at £4.99 (UK) and $7.99 (US).
This brand new mini-series unleashes the power of some of the last century’s greatest comic book characters. Having been inspired by them to create his acclaimed self-published series Jack Staff, Grist now realises his vision with the original versions of these legendary characters.
In Victorian London, when the legendary elastic-limbed escapologist Janus Stark traps a demon in a stone idol, hoping to seal away the malevolent monster for all time – yet he has just created a prize too alluring for criminal masterminds to resist!
Sixty years later, terrifying high-tech thief The Spider organises a heist for his Crime Syndicate to the steal the statuette. But heroes from across the ages unite to confound the king of crime, and prevent him from unleashing the demon hidden inside. Can they succeed and keep the evil of the stone idol contained?
However, The Steel Claw and Jane Bond are assigned to halt the theft, but they encounter a mysterious stranger who throws both sides’ plans into disarray.
Paul Grist said: “The Spider is, without doubt, my favourite British comic character. There are others that are more famous, more heroic, or just longer running, but it’s the Spider that’s been living rent free in my head since I first came across him in the pages of a ‘Summer Special’ whilst on a caravan holiday with my family many summers ago.
“So to be asked to write a bunch of stories of his battles with his more ‘heroic’ contemporaries wasn’t something I was going to turn down! At least I could finally get him to earn his keep!
“The three-issue that make up this series of Smash! give the Spider a chance to cavort across 60 years of British comics history, crossing paths with the Steel Claw, Robot Archie and Adam Eterno, as well as a few surprise ‘guest stars’ along the way. I even get to write a Janus Stark story to kick things off!
“But don’t worry, it doesn’t require the reader to have read years of British comics in order to appreciate it. But I hope that it will give the you, the reader, a flavour of the range, variety and, quite frankly, the sheer bonkersness of British comics over the years!”
Smash! #1 is out on 25 October, with subsequent issues released monthly. Grab this issue and more from your local comics shop – find your nearest comic book shop at ComicShopLocator.com.
To read Smash!, 2000 AD, the Judge Dredd Megazine, Monster Fun, fiction ebooks, and hundreds of graphic novel collections, download the 2000 AD app for iOS and Android devices. As well as reading a host of free comics, can read your purchases in the app or download them as DRM-free files from the 2000 AD webshop.
“The most peculiar, imaginative and challenging work in British comics ” – The New Statesman
Misty: 45 Years of Fear is a hardcover collection bringing together some of the best stories of the classic British girls’ horror comic.
In 1978 British comics were changed forever with the release of Misty, the classic cult horror comic for girls. Masterminded by Pat Mills, the creator of 2000 AD, this weekly comic featured the best comics talent working on haunting, terrifying tales.
With work by John Armstrong, Brian Delaney, Mario Capaldi, Jordi Badia Romero, Shirley Bellwood, and Jaume Rumeu Perera, this hardcover collection is out on 13 September.
Featuring the long stories ‘Moonchild’, ‘The Nightmare Academy’, ‘The Loving Cup’, ‘The Sentinals’ and the shorter stories ‘The Power of Young Melissa’, ‘The Twin Catastrophes’, ‘The Day The Sky Grew Dark’, ‘Mirror Mirror’, ‘Home For Christmas’ and ‘The Aegis’, from high ’70s glamour to chilling stories that have haunted readers for decades this essential collection curates the creepiest, campest Misty serials and short stories alongside critical essays, in a volume perfect for readers old and new.
The thrilling new BATTLE ACTION mini-series comes to an explosive end with its fifth issue!
The last issue of Battle Action is out from your local comic book store (Diamond code JUL231918) or from the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops.
This issue kicks off with an early adventure of ‘Hellman of Hammer Force’, when he leads the Condor Legion in Spain and the conflict forces him to determine what he will stand for – written by Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher), with art by Mike Dorey (2000 AD).
In ‘Nina Petrova and The Angels of Death’, Petrova takes a new Commissar under her wing and the green officer sees first-hand what war truly entails, by Torunn Grønbekk (Thor, Punisher War Journal) and Patrick Goddard (Rogue Trooper).
Classic series from the legendary British comics Battle Picture Weekly and Action such as ‘Johnny Red’, ‘HMS Nightshade’, ‘Crazy Keller’, ‘D-Day Dawson’, ‘Dredger’, ‘Major Eazy’, and ‘Hellman of Hammer Force’ burst back into life in this new five-issue mini-series, which features the work of John Wagner (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog), Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy, Warhammer 40k), Torunn Grønbekk (Thor, Punisher: War Journal), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad, Judge Dredd), John Higgins (Watchmen, Judge Dredd) and Chris Burnham (Batman Incorporated, Unstoppable Doom Patrol)!
Available through comic book stores and the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops, this first issue features the return of fan favourite World War Two flying ace ‘Johnny Red’ by Ennis and Burns, as well as the return of Battle Picture Weekly’s co-creator John Wagner to ‘HMS Nightshade’, the series he co-created with artist Mike Western in 1979, which tells the story of a Royal Navy warship protecting Allied shipping from the U-Boat menace!
Battle Picture Weekly was where the revolution in British comics began. Created in 1975 by writers and editors Pat Mills and John Wagner, it introduced new grittiness into comics with its cast of anti-heroes and misfits. Its bombast and energy sparked a sea-change in what comics could do, leading to Mills’ creation of the controversial Action and the globally influential 2000 AD.
The new Battle Action mini-series celebrates the merging of this landmark title with its controversial stablemate, Action, a combination that took the two comics to even greater heights. Now, more than forty years after the original, some of the cream of British comics talent are bringing these classic characters back to life.
Battle Action #1 is out on 31 May from comic book stores and will be available for stores to order through Diamond Distribution’s Previews magazine. It will also be available in print and digital from the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops and digitally through the 2000 AD app.
Issue 1:
JOHNNY RED by Garth Ennis and Keith Burns
HMS NIGHTSHADE by John Wagner and Dan Cornwell
Issue 2 on sale: 28 June
CRAZY KELLER by Garth Ennis and Chris Burnham
D-DAY DAWSON by Dan Abnett and Phil Winslade
Issue 3 on sale: 26 July
DREDGER by Garth Ennis and John Higgins
MAJOR EAZY by Rob Williams and Henry Flint
Issue 4 on sale: 30 August
COOLEY’S GUN by Garth Ennis and Staz Johnson
DEATH SQUAD by Rob Williams and PJ Holden
Issue 5 on sale: 27 September
HELLMAN OF HAMMER FORCE by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey
NINA PETROVA AND THE ANGELS OF DEATH by Torunn Grønbekk and Patrick Goddard
Into Battle: The Art of British War Comics goes on show from 1st October 2023 – 30th April 2024
Drawing on comics such as War Picture Library, Battle Action, to explore the art and history of British war comics
Original comic cover and panel artwork on public display for the first time
A collaboration between Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum and Oxford-based Rebellion, publisher of beloved British comics series such as 2000AD, Roy of the Rovers and Battle Action.
Into Battle: The Art of British War Comics will open to visitors at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock, from 1st October 2023 to 30th April 2024.
The county’s military history museum is collaborating with Oxford-based Rebellion Publishing on the new exhibition which will offer visitors a chance to explore the history of British war comics through the archives of classic comic titles such as War Picture Library and Battle Action.
Hugely popular today, Britain has been publishing comics continuously for over 130 years. During that time, conflict has remained a staple of comic book storytelling and by the 1960s and 1970s war stories were the most popular genre.
The exhibition, featuring original comic artwork on public display for the first time, tells the story of war comics decade by decade. From satirical comic strips and patriotic illustrated story papers of 19th Century and early 20th Century, to the revolutionary comics of the 1970s, which presented much more gritty, authentic and emotionally-charged stories.
Long-time readers of comics will be given a nostalgic look back at some of their favourites, while younger and more recent fans will gain an insight into how their favourite medium has developed over the years.
Drawing on Rebellion’s extensive archives, the exhibition features artwork from the very best of British comics – taking in spectacular covers and action-packed panels from the War Picture Library, Battle Picture Weekly and Battle Action.
Battle Action, which Rebellion have recently revived with the work of renowned comic writers and artists such as Garth Ennis (Preacher, The Boys), Keith Burns (Commando Comics, Johnny Red) and Dab Abnett (Warhammer 40k, Marvel Comics) features heavily throughout. The comic, which was known as Battle Picture Weekly before merging with Action comics in 1977, notably featured the series Charley’s War by Pat Mills and Jo Colquhoun – regarded as one of the greatest war comics of all time.
Following its working-class hero from underage recruit in 1914 through almost every major event of the war, the strip sees Charley lose friends in battle, portraying the human cost of war through the eyes of an ordinary soldier.
The incredible artwork on display will includes original 1983 Charley’s War panels by Mill and Colquhoun, alongside full colour original artwork from Jordi Penalva (Bulldog Breed, 1965), Giorgio de Gaspari (Spy 13, 1959) and Graham Cotton (Gun Duel, 1967).
Alongside much to capture the interest and imagination of adults, the exhibition will offer younger visitors the chance to discover how comics are made and have a go at creating comics themselves.
Into Battle: The Art of British War Comics has been proudly sponsored by Ridge, multidisciplinary property and construction consultants. Partner Mark Richards said of the exhibition,
‘Ridge is delighted to support the local community near its Oxford office with a new exhibition showcasing the best British war comics. Supporting this exhibition on British war comics celebrates the rich history and honours the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers while promoting cultural engagement and education in our community. This exhibition will showcase the best of British war comics, providing a platform to appreciate the storytelling, artwork, and historical significance they offer, which Ridge is proud to be a part of.’
About Rebellion
Founded in 1992, Rebellion is one of Europe’s biggest independent studios. Its flagship Sniper Elite series is renowned for its authentic stealth and sniping gameplay with more than 20 million players worldwide. 2000 AD is synonymous with the absolute finest in British comic book art. With the acquisition of a $100m film studio and the world’s largest archive of English language comics, Rebellion continues to grow from strength to strength.
Rebellion now operates across books, comics, TV and film, but at its core it’s still a leading developer and publisher of games. Whether it’s the breathtaking intensity of Sniper Elite 4, the face-hugging terror of Aliens vs. Predator or the grindhouse frenzy of the Zombie Army series, the Oxford-based studio is revered for creating stand-out games designed to thrill.
Rebellion Publishing was founded in 2000 by Rebellion owners Chris and Jason Kingsley with acquisition of legendary UK comic imprint 2000 AD, and has expanded over the last 15 years with the creation of cult imprint Abaddon Books in 2006, acquisition of SFF powerhouse Solaris Books in 2010.
About the Soldiers of Oxfordshire (SOFO) Museum
SOFO Museum first opened during the summer of 2014, tucked away in the beautiful gardens in the grounds of The Oxfordshire Museum and Woodstock Library, and just on the doorstep of Blenheim Palace.
A new take on the classic military museum, SOFO shares stories of heroism, combat and peace from across the globe and throughout time. We also tell stories of how conflict has affected the county and its people, from soldiers serving on the front lines to ordinary people living on the Home Front.
As well as a range of ever-changing displays and events, our permanent exhibits explore topics that you’ll find surprising and moving in equal measure, such as raw accounts of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen from both camp survivors and Oxfordshire soldiers.
Battles of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry puts you on-board a Horsa Glider as it prepares to land in Normandy in the early hours of D-Day 1944, while Secret Agents, Secret Armies explores the world of spies and espionage through the lens of Ian Fleming and his creation, James Bond.
SOFO holds a collection of over 3,500 objects and 7,500 archive items from two county regiments, the Queens Own Oxfordshire Hussars (QOOH) and the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. These are our starting point for reflecting on the county’s rich and diverse military heritage.
Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum, Park Street, Woodstock, OX20 1SN
Apparel of Laughs is launching a new range of six T-shirts celebrating IPC Fleetway’s classic comics for girls.
Created in collaboration with Rebellion Publishing, each design features a vintage illustration taken from the vast archive of these nostalgic comics and spans the decades with famous titles like June, Tammy, and Misty getting their own unique t-shirts.
Founder and Designer of Apparel of Laughs, Jude Coram, said: “As an avid collector of classic comics, I have seen the value and love heaped onto these girls’ titles. They were not just shelf fillers, each one was made with care and consideration for the reader with some of the best artists around. The care taken to give a girl something to read and enjoy, but also to learn and aspire to is something we should see more of today. Each comic had it’s own unique selling point and was able to find it’s own audience amongst the school girls of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. The comics featured mystery stories, sci-fi fantasy, and fantastical tales as well as school strips and relationships. They weren’t afraid to tackle harder topics and gave their readers a safe space to grow. A whole generation of women were brought up with these comics, and we are very happy to take these ladies back to happier days with a healthy dose of nostalgia. “
Apparel of Laughs has been selling t-shirts and gifts celebrating British culture from when it first launched in October 2019. Since then, it has spread a bit of Britishness to customers all over the world with designs featuring food, TV, film, sports, and art from the UK. All the shirts are printed using vegan inks, and all are sent in plastic free packaging. All clothing orders are also sent for free to the UK. The new collection of girl’s comic t-shirts perfectly encapsulates what Apparel of Laughs is all about; showcasing classic parts of British cultural history with fun, unique, and original designs.
He’s the legendary star of classic British horror comic Scream!, and now Max – the murderous AI – is back with new adventures in a fantastic collection!
Max, the A.I. superintendent of Maxwell Towers has found a kindred soul in one of his residents, a young, disturbed boy call Sam Bowers. Together they work to rid the building of all the ne’er do wells who lurk in the dark corridors of the block, luring them to the dreaded thirteenth floor. But this power has started to corrupt Sam, surprising even Max – and their activities have not gone unnoticed, as WPC Hester Benedict becomes more aware of the sinister events taking place at the building.
Out on 14 September and written by Guy Adams (Heavens Gate), this collection includes art by Frazer Irving (Batman and Robin), John Stokes (Star Wars), Tom Paterson (Sweeny Toddler), Kelley Jones (The Sandman), VV Glass (Dr Who) and Vince Locke (A History of Violence).
The thrilling new BATTLE ACTION mini-series comes to an explosive end with its fifth issue!
The last issue of Battle Action is now available to pre-order from your local comic book store (Diamond code JUL231918) or from the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops.
Out on 27 September, this issue kicks off with an early adventure of ‘Hellman of Hammer Force’, when he leads the Condor Legion in Spain and the conflict forces him to determine what he will stand for – written by Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher), with art by Mike Dorey (2000 AD).
In ‘Nina Petrova and The Angels of Death’, Petrova takes a new Commissar under her wing and the green officer sees first-hand what war truly entails, by Torunn Grønbekk (Thor, Punisher War Journal) and Patrick Goddard (Rogue Trooper).
Classic series from the legendary British comics Battle Picture Weekly and Action such as ‘Johnny Red’, ‘HMS Nightshade’, ‘Crazy Keller’, ‘D-Day Dawson’, ‘Dredger’, ‘Major Eazy’, and ‘Hellman of Hammer Force’ burst back into life in this new five-issue mini-series, which features the work of John Wagner (Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog), Dan Abnett (Guardians of the Galaxy, Warhammer 40k), Torunn Grønbekk (Thor, Punisher: War Journal), Rob Williams (Suicide Squad, Judge Dredd), John Higgins (Watchmen, Judge Dredd) and Chris Burnham (Batman Incorporated, Unstoppable Doom Patrol)!
Available through comic book stores and the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops, this first issue features the return of fan favourite World War Two flying ace ‘Johnny Red’ by Ennis and Burns, as well as the return of Battle Picture Weekly’s co-creator John Wagner to ‘HMS Nightshade’, the series he co-created with artist Mike Western in 1979, which tells the story of a Royal Navy warship protecting Allied shipping from the U-Boat menace!
Battle Picture Weekly was where the revolution in British comics began. Created in 1975 by writers and editors Pat Mills and John Wagner, it introduced new grittiness into comics with its cast of anti-heroes and misfits. Its bombast and energy sparked a sea-change in what comics could do, leading to Mills’ creation of the controversial Action and the globally influential 2000 AD.
The new Battle Action mini-series celebrates the merging of this landmark title with its controversial stablemate, Action, a combination that took the two comics to even greater heights. Now, more than forty years after the original, some of the cream of British comics talent are bringing these classic characters back to life.
Battle Action #1 is out on 31 May from comic book stores and will be available for stores to order through Diamond Distribution’s Previews magazine. It will also be available in print and digital from the 2000 AD and Treasury of British Comics webshops and digitally through the 2000 AD app.
Issue 1:
JOHNNY RED by Garth Ennis and Keith Burns
HMS NIGHTSHADE by John Wagner and Dan Cornwell
Issue 2 on sale: 28 June
CRAZY KELLER by Garth Ennis and Chris Burnham
D-DAY DAWSON by Dan Abnett and Phil Winslade
Issue 3 on sale: 26 July
DREDGER by Garth Ennis and John Higgins
MAJOR EAZY by Rob Williams and Henry Flint
Issue 4 on sale: 30 August
COOLEY’S GUN by Garth Ennis and Staz Johnson
DEATH SQUAD by Rob Williams and PJ Holden
Issue 5 on sale: 27 September
HELLMAN OF HAMMER FORCE by Garth Ennis and Mike Dorey
NINA PETROVA AND THE ANGELS OF DEATH by Torunn Grønbekk and Patrick Goddard
